The SmokeScreen, an intervention aimed at reducing the uptake of smoking in young people was evaluated in schools in Leicester. There were differences in smoking between schools, each gender, ethnic and religious groups. Beliefs about smoking however were constant across these demographic variables. Any future programme will probably fail if it only addresses knowledge of the dangers of smoking.
The SmokeScreen evaluated well with young people who found it effective and acceptable. In particular non-smokers stated it made them less likely to want to start.
A large proportion of young people completed the pledge to not become a “replacement smoker”. The reasons for completing the pledge were rarely instrumental, and seemed to reflect a genuine desire to not smoke.

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NHS Leicester City funded this evaluation with match funding generously given by the Oxford Health Alliance.